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        Pilgrims Flock to Saint Peter's Square for Canonization Ceremony

   Roman Catholics began filling up St. Peter`s Square early Sunday,
   positioning themselves for the best spot to witness the historic
   canonization of two popes. As many as one million people are expected
   in St. Peter`s and the nearby streets of Rome for the
   elevation-to-sainthood ceremony.
   Churches throughout Rome were opened Saturday night, filled with
   pilgrims from around the world who have come to witness the
   canonization at the Vatican Sunday of two 20th century popes -- John
   the 23rd and John Paul the Second.
   It is not immediately clear what role retired pontiff Benedict the 16th
   will play Sunday. His presence along with current Pope Francis sets the
   stage for the unprecedented occurrence of two living popes canonizing
   two of their predecessors.
   The two being canonized are widely seen as representing contrasting
   factions of the Roman Catholic Church.
   John, an Italian also known as the "Good Pope" because of his friendly,
   open personality, died before the Second Vatican Council ended its work
   in 1965, but his initiative set off one of the greatest upheavals in
   church teaching in modern times. The Council ended the use of Latin at
   Mass, brought in the use of modern music, and opened the way for
   challenges to Vatican authority, which alienated some traditionalists.
   John Paul continued some of the reforms but tightened central control,
   condemned theological renegades and preached a stricter line on social
   issues. Groups representing victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests
   say he did not do enough to root out a scandal that emerged towards the
   end of his pontificate and which has hung over the church ever since.
   Both canonizations have involved some intervention with the normally
   strict rules governing the declaration of a saint. Francis ruled that
   only one miracle was needed to declare John a saint, while Benedict
   waived a rule that normally requires a five-year waiting period before
   the preliminaries to sainthood can even begin to speed up John Paul`s
   canonization.
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   -for-canonization-ceremony/1902047.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/pilgrims-flock-to-saint-peters-square-for-canonization-ceremony/1902047.html